In the middle of the high season, the Italian financial police (Guardia di Finanza) are cracking down on the popular vacation resort of Gallipoli in Salento. During a large-scale inspection operation, dozens of illegally overcrowded vacation apartments were uncovered that were being rented out by landlords to unsuspecting, mostly young tourists at top prices. The conditions are described by the investigators as inhumane in some cases.
Exorbitant prices for inhumane conditions
Officials from the Lecce Provincial Command checked 62 vacation apartments in the coastal towns of Baia Verde and Lido San Giovanni and found a total of 424 holidaymakers there. The groups paid between 1,500 and 3,000 euros per week for the often tiny accommodations. The extreme case: nine young people, including five minors, lived in an apartment measuring just 50 square meters, which was approved for a maximum of three people. In addition, a property registered as a garage was discovered that was being illegally rented out as living space.
Landlords under scrutiny: high penalties and tax audits
The action has serious consequences for landlords. In 22 cases, the legally permitted number of people was massively exceeded, which now results in high administrative penalties. In addition, the financial police are initiating comprehensive tax audits to check the income from the "short-term rentals". The two landlords of the garage used as an apartment have also been reported to the police (Questura) in Lecce for failing to register the personal details of their guests as required by law.
